Bell Bullitt Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet

Bell is a 100-year-old company now and is responsible for designing the first full-face motorcycle helmet in 1968. The California-based company started as an auto parts store but has since grown into the biggest helmet producer in the world as well as a leading brand in motorsports, including Formula One.

With all its history, buying a classic-style helmet seems like a no-brainer from Bell. Its Bullitt series fits the bill at a glance; the leather interior, large shield area, and minimal design make it a tempting purchase for cafe-racer enthusiasts. That said, fashion shouldn’t always be the top priority when buying a helmet. There are important factors involved with varying head shapes, climate, and riding styles; let’s dig in and see if the Bullitt is the right motorcycle helmet for you.

Bell Bullitt’s First Impressions

There’s something comforting about buying a helmet that comes in a nice box marked with a 5-year warranty. It instills confidence that the company shares your interest in head safety. Under the quality packaging and a Bell helmet sleeve, the vinyl shield protector peels off satisfyingly to reveal a crystal-clear window. Attached to it is an ingenious little magnetic button, which really only helps prevent unsightly fingerprints in your field of view.

Trying it on, the crown of your head feels like it slipped perfectly into an egg carton, with no uncomfortable pressure or wobble. The cheeks, however, are not incredibly tight; this will, of course, be different for everyone, and it’s worth noting that this can be beneficial for riders wearing makeup or perhaps jewelry. There is the option to remove the cheek pads entirely and plenty of room to add speakers or an intercom system.

Ventilation

The ventilation system remains open at the top of the head, with 4 small mesh circles in the front and one sleek opening in the back. This is great for warm-weather riders, but even a brisk night along the coast can cause a bit of a chill. Thankfully, the mouth breather has an option to open and close, a feature that is lacking in many vintage-style helmets. As for the chin, some helmets have a little fabric to prevent wind from entering your helmet; this helmet does not. It’s arguable that the additional luxuries in other modern helmets would detract from the classic style of the Bell Bullitt, but it’s worth mentioning that the options are out there.

Design

Overall, the helmet feels extremely solid, and yet it is lightweight. The brown leather interior smells fresh, and the attention to detail is impeccable. The exterior is aesthetically pleasing and has just the right amount of design elements to keep it from becoming too one-note with the gloss black mirror finish. The tried and true D-ring helmet strap fits nicely over the additional leather cushioning and leaves plenty of room to prevent you from fumbling around while cinching it up.

How It Feels When Riding

This helmet fits perfectly for a casual ride around the city, cruising down Main Street. There’s plenty of room to wear your favorite pair of sunglasses, and the huge field of view makes you almost forget you’re wearing anything at all. Where this helmet is lacking is at high speeds. It’s manageable to go for a ride on the highway, but for a serious rider who wants to feel locked in and focused, the Bell Bullitt is all over the place.

Take into consideration what type of motorcycle you’re riding as well. This is a great helmet for a classic café racer, but it might not suit a cross-country ride on a cruiser. Each type of motorcycle can have a varying wind stream; if you’re propped upright, slightly leaning forward, you might not notice the air blowing up inside this spacious helmet. However, the moment you lean back, a gust of wind can make this helmet go from a comfortable luxury to a straining hazard. With an arsenal of bikes to choose from to test this helmet, it fits the fashion and riding style of a 1982 BMW R65, with a 1972 Honda CB350 coming in a close second, but now we’re just getting nitpicky about color matching.

Fit, Comfort, and Sizing Recommendation

The Bell Bullitt cups the cranium extremely well, and the sizing is quite accurate; however, if you have a slimmer face and find yourself on the lower end of the sizing chart, it might be worth taking a size lower. That said, if you are on the larger end, stick to the size that Bell suggests and contact Bell for padding suggestions should you require any adjustments to fit.

Competition

The Bell Bullitt helmet is a unique style among the helmets we’ve tried and tested, but it does come at a price. Before you jump into buying your own, you should be aware of what other helmets are available at this higher price tag.

Bell Bullitt Vs Simpson Mod Bandit

• 

  Simpson Mod Bandit

  Expert opinion: Simpson’s Mod Bandit bucket brings racing helmet technology and protection to the masses with carbon-fiber toughness. Like the AGV helmet, the Simpson uses a double-D strap buckle which may be a problem for riders with fuller beards. A decent level of protection and comfort for the price.

  Brand

  Simpson

  Size Range

  XS – XXL

  Shape

  Oval

  Material Type

  Carbon Fiber

  Price Range

  $720.95

  Model

  Mod Bandit

  Cons

  • Price
  • Noise
  • Fitment Issues

• 

  Bell Bullitt Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet

  The Bell Bullitt helmet features a retro style with a large, crystal-clear field of view. The interior has comfortable, quality brown leather that cradles the head extremely well. The D-Ring strap easily attaches with padding for a snug fit. It is lightweight while still feeling solid, the exterior color is flawless, and the attention to detail makes this helmet stand out in the crowd.

  Brand

  Bell

  Size Range

  XS-XXL

  Shape

  Oval

  Material Type

  Fiberglass Composite

  Price Range

  $439.95-$759.00

  Model

  Bullitt

  Cons

  • Price
  • Noise
  • Fitment Issues

The Simpson Mod Bandit helmet is another bucket with an undeniably unique style. Though it might not be the retro 70s look you’ve been searching for, it could pass for a 1977 Darth Vader costume. It gives off an outlaw vibe, while the Bell Bullitt is much more minimal, but does the extra cost of the Simpson helmet make it better? At the time of its initial release, the Mod Bandit was a bit pricey, but you can find deals on this helmet today in a similar price range to the Bullitt, but still a touch more expensive.

A couple of main features that the Mod Bandit has is the optional sun visor behind the main shield, which makes it so much easier than fumbling with sunglasses, and, of course, the modular part of it, which flips the entire face up out of the way. It also has tons of ventilation ports that all open and close, so you can cruise relatively comfortably in warm or cold weather. Lastly, the aerodynamics of the Mod Bandit are much better; you can ride any bike and be comfortable knowing this helmet will keep you locked in like a racer. But all of these features and menacing designs just don’t fit the classic cafe-racer style that the Bell Bullitt has. The Mod Bandit might be a better technical helmet overall, but it could make you feel out of place if you’re going to a meet-up with friends and you’re all rockin’ the vintage style.

Bell Bullitt Vs Shoeei RF-SR

• 

  Shoei RF-SR

  Expert Opinion: The Shoei RF-SR motorcycle helmet is a handcrafted masterwork of minimal style and functional aerodynamic design. Its state-of-the-art ventilation system offers premium cooling and clear vision in various weather conditions. The lightweight construction and three-dimensionally shaped interior contour make a comfortable fit for long-distance riding.

  Brand

  Shoei

  Size Range

  XS – XXL

  Shape

  Intermediate oval

  Material Type

  Hand-laid interwoven layers of fiberglass with organic fibers and resin

  Price Range

  $479.99 – $669.99

  Model

  Shoei RF-SR Solid Helmet

  Weight

  3.66 lbs

  Certifications

  DOT Certified, M2020D SNELL Certified

  Pros

  • Aerodynamic
  • Ventilation
  • Comfort

• 

  Bell Bullitt Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet

  The Bell Bullitt helmet features a retro style with a large, crystal-clear field of view. The interior has comfortable, quality brown leather that cradles the head extremely well. The D-Ring strap easily attaches with padding for a snug fit. It is lightweight while still feeling solid, the exterior color is flawless, and the attention to detail makes this helmet stand out in the crowd.

  Brand

  Bell

  Size Range

  XS-XXL

  Shape

  Oval

  Material Type

  Fiberglass Composite

  Price Range

  $439.95-$759.00

  Model

  Bullitt

  Weight

  3.14 lbs

  Certifications

  DOT (US) ECE (EU)

  Cons

  • Price
  • Noise
  • Fitment issues

It’s hard to compete with a nice Shoei helmet in terms of comfort and functionality, but the RF-SR is certainly not a unique and stylish helmet like the Bullitt. If you plan on driving from Los Angeles to Daytona Beach in Florida, you’re going to need something that will not fatigue your head and neck, and the Shoei fits that bill. It has the ideal ventilation system, a high-quality interior, and reduces wind pressure and noise. But while it does have a minimal design that still retains all the best features, the angles and materials don’t stand out in terms of style. The Bell Bullitt uses the metal mesh vents and a classic flat, curved shape that the modern Shoei can’t possibly justify using when perfecting its aerodynamics. Overall, if it doesn’t suit your style, but you’ll make an occasional long trek on your motorcycle, buy a Shoei as a backup. You’ll get further faster and still have the energy to ride around and show off the Bell Bullitt when you get to your destination.

The Right Helmet For You?

If you want a 70s-style helmet, you can’t ask for much more when it comes to the Bell Bullitt. It provides just the right amount of creature comforts without detracting from the design. It fits snugly and provides all the modern safety one can hope for in a retro motorcycle helmet. But if you don’t intend to wear it only around the city or even on the occasional sunny Sunday, it might not be the right choice. A trip to the out-of-state bike week could present you with unpredictable weather conditions, and this helmet might not keep you warm enough on its own. Don’t forget that it doesn’t perform the best in high-wind situations; long rides can wear you down, and this helmet might decrease the overall distance you’ll be willing to go.

Check out the Bell Bullitt Hemlet on Amazon